Nomination Court sits for Tsholotsho RDC by-elections

Gibson Mhaka in Tsholotsho

THE Nomination Court sits at the Tsholotsho Rural District Council (RDC) offices on Wednesday to officially receive nomination papers from aspiring candidates seeking to contest in the Tsholotsho Rural District Council (RDC) by-elections scheduled for June 20, 2026.

The court, which is sitting from 10am to 4pm, will determine the final list of candidates contesting in the polls for Wards 1, 10 and 21, with prospective candidates from various political parties and independent hopefuls expected to file their papers.

By this morning, the three Zanu-PF candidates for the respective wards had arrived at the Tsholotsho RDC offices and are waiting to file their nomination papers before the Nomination Court.
The by-elections were necessitated by the dismissal of three Tsholotsho Rural District Council councillors following an independent tribunal probe into allegations of criminal abuse of office and fraud.
The affected wards fell vacant after the Government dismissed the councillors following investigations into allegations involving abuse of Campfire funds and other offences.
The councillors who had been under investigation are Witness Khumalo (Ward 1), Jabulani Sigagula (Ward 7), Busani Vundla (Ward 6), Jonathan Ndlovu (Ward 10) and Felix Tshuma (Ward 21)
Following their suspension in February this year by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel
Garwe, an independent tribunal was appointed to investigate the allegations and allow the councillors to respond to the charges.

Three councillors were subsequently dismissed, paving the way for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to proclaim June 20, 2026, as the date for the by-elections in the affected wards.
The dismissed councillors are reportedly challenging their dismissal at the High Court.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF has already intensified preparations for the by-elections after successfully conducting primary elections last Saturday to select candidates for the polls.
In Ward 1, Cde Lindiwe Mkhwananzi won the primary election after polling 150 votes against Cde Mavis Gumbi’s 72 votes, while Cde Mthabisisi Vundla and Cde Samson Mzondo Ncube garnered 12 and 10 votes respectively. A total of 248 votes were cast, with four spoiled ballots recorded.
Ward 10 was won by Cde Simbisai Ndlovu, who secured 345 votes ahead of Cde Thuleleni Tshuma’s 129 votes, while Cde Phillip Dube polled 35 votes. A total of 521 votes were cast, including 12 spoiled
ballots.
In Ward 21, Cde Phillip Mvundla emerged victorious after garnering 135 votes against Cde Britain Sibanda’s 109 votes. Of the 252 total votes cast, eight ballots were spoiled.
Speaking after the primary elections, Zanu-PF Matabeleland North Provincial Secretary for Administration, Cde Douglas Khoza, said the internal polls were conducted peacefully and reflected the party’s organisational strength in the province.
“All went well and all candidates who applied and submitted CVs to contest in the primary elections were able to participate as per their applications.
“Of importance is that the elections were conducted peacefully and in a jovial environment,” said Cde Khoza.
He said the peaceful conduct of the primary elections demonstrated party unity and preparedness ahead of the by-elections.
Cde Khoza expressed confidence that Zanu-PF would comfortably retain the wards, citing developmental projects being implemented under the Second Republic in Matabeleland North Province.
“As Matabeleland North people, much has been done by the Second Republic under the stewardship of His Excellency the President and First Secretary of the Party, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, in uplifting and improving the economic and socia status of our communities, especially in Tsholotsho District, in terms of the provision of water, clinics, schools and roads, just to mention a few,” he said.
“This acts as an impetus for the Tsholotsho communities to vote for Zanu-PF.
“Any opposition party that comes into this race will be competing in an already won race. No one can stop the developmental train driven by His Excellency the President, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, in Matabeleland North.”
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF structures in Tsholotsho have already begun mobilising support ahead of the by-elections, with party officials expressing optimism that the ruling party will secure decisive victories in all the contested wards.